“We can see that Ivanishvili has good wishes of normalizing the Armenia-Georgia relations, solving hard issues. We can also see honest wishes to compromise on the main issues concerning Armenian Georgians and Javakhk Armenians,” Vahe Sargsyan, a PhD in history and an expert of Mitk (idea), an analytical center, expressed this opinion on the future developments in the Armenia-Georgia relations. However, he noted at the same time that there were some obstacles to putting Ivanishvili’s good wishes into practice. He stated: “One of the negative factors is that he is related and dependent on the Georgian Orthodox Church. It is no secret that the assimilation of Armenian cultural heritage, intolerance toward Armenians of Georgia, the change in Javakhk’s demography in favor of Georgians and a set of other negative phenomena are orchestrated by the Orthodox Church. If we take into account that the church is an absolute authority for Georgian society, we must say that Ivanishvili’s task will be a very hard one. And if he has honest wishes, difficult times await him.”
According to V. Sargsyan, one of the positive factors is “Ivanishvili’s wish to normalize relations with the Russian Federation. They have to normalize those relations whether they like it or not. One of the reasons for that is the issue of poverty in the country. It is no secret that closing the Russian market is to blame for poverty. Therefore, Ivanishvili must normalize economic relations with the Russian Federation. Armenia’s interest, the Armenian factor can play a big role here.”
In response to our question what policy the Republic of Armenia should pursue, in order to be able to benefit from this relatively favorable situation, Mr. Sargsyan said: “To make definite demands, to take a definite position on which the relations with Georgia should be based. For example, the Turkish and Azeri investments in communications of Georgia are a direct threat to our country’s security. If Georgia wants to restore good-neighborly relations with Armenia, it has to take into account that very factor. And opening the Abkhazian railway will help, since in a sense it may be a counterbalance. The next factor is Armenians of Georgia. We have more than 150 000 native Armenians in Javakhk who can play a big role in preventing Georgia’s anti-Armenian policy.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
